CAT Cutoff Marks For IIM 2026: Percentile, Admission Criteria & Selection Process
General-category candidates aiming for top Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) typically required an overall CAT percentile of 99 or higher for interview calls in 2025, while newer IIMs saw cutoffs in the 90-95 percentile range. The CAT Cutoff Marks For IIM 2026 are the minimum percentile scores mandated by each IIM for shortlisting candidates for their Post Graduate Programme (PGP) admissions, with the official 2026 cutoffs yet to be released. For the 2026-28 batch, IIM Ahmedabad notably increased its general category qualifying overall cutoff from 80 to 95 percentile based on CAT 2025 scores.
Cat Cutoff Marks For Iim 2026: Notification, Application & Exam Date Schedule
The following table outlines the key dates for the CAT 2025 examination, which forms the basis for IIM admissions for the 2026-28 batch, as the 2026 schedule is yet to be announced.
| Event | Date (2025) |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | July 28 |
| Application Start | August 1 |
| Application Close | September 20 |
| Admit Card Release | November 5 |
| Exam Date | November 30 |
| Result Announcement | December 24 |
CAT Cutoff Marks For IIM 2025 (Latest — 2026 awaited): Category-wise Percentiles
The table below presents the expected overall CAT 2025 percentile cutoffs for various categories across IIMs, serving as a guide for 2026 admissions.
| Category | Overall Percentile Range (IIMs) |
|---|---|
| General | 90-100 |
| NC-OBC | 75-85 |
| EWS | 75-85 |
| SC | 60-75 |
| ST | 50-65 |
| PwD | 50-60 |
CAT Cutoff Marks For IIM 2025 (Latest — 2026 awaited): Sectional Percentiles for Top IIMs
Here are the minimum sectional CAT 2025 percentiles for General category candidates for shortlisting at prominent IIMs.
| IIM | VARC Percentile | DILR Percentile | QA Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Bangalore (General) | 80 | 75 | 75 |
| IIM Lucknow (General) | 85 | 85 | 85 |
| IIM Ahmedabad (General) | 85 | 85 | 85 |
CAT Cutoff Trends: IIM Percentiles 2023 vs 2024 vs 2025 (General Category)
This table illustrates the year-on-year trend of overall CAT percentiles for General category admissions at select IIMs.
| IIM | 2023 Percentile | 2024 Percentile | 2025 Percentile (Expected) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIM Indore | 92.92 | 92.43 | 92.5 |
| IIM Ahmedabad (Qualifying) | 80 | 80 | 95 |
Cat Cutoff Marks For Iim 2026 Counselling Schedule: Shortlisting, PI & Final Offers
The following dates outline the typical admission and counselling timeline for IIMs for the 2026-28 batch, based on CAT 2025 results.
| Event | Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| CAT 2025 Result Announcement | December 24, 2025 |
| IIM Shortlisting (PI Calls) | January |
| Personal Interview (PI) Rounds | February – April |
| Final Admission Offers | May |
| Provisional Admission & Document Submission | June |
FAQs
Q. What are the expected CAT cutoff marks for IIMs for 2026 admissions?
The official CAT cutoff marks for IIMs for 2026 admissions are not yet released, as the CAT 2026 exam will be conducted in November 2026. However, based on CAT 2025 trends, top IIMs are expected to require 99+ percentile for General category candidates.
Q. When will the CAT 2026 cutoff be officially released?
The official CAT 2026 cutoff percentiles for IIMs are typically released after the CAT 2026 results are declared in December 2026 or January 2027, and individual IIMs publish their admission policies for the 2027-29 batch.
Q. Do all IIMs have the same CAT cutoff marks?
No, each IIM releases its own specific CAT cutoff marks, which can vary significantly based on the institute’s ranking, number of seats, and the overall applicant pool. Older IIMs generally have higher cutoffs than newer IIMs.
Q. What is the difference between qualifying and final CAT cutoff percentiles?
Qualifying CAT cutoffs are the minimum percentiles required to be considered for the next stages of the admission process (like Written Ability Test/Personal Interview rounds), while final cutoffs are the actual percentiles at which candidates receive admission offers, which are usually higher.
Q. Are there separate CAT percentile cutoffs for different categories?
Yes, IIMs provide relaxed CAT percentile cutoffs for reserved categories such as NC-OBC, EWS, SC, ST, and PwD, which are typically lower than those for the General category.
Q. Does a high CAT percentile guarantee admission to an IIM?
A high CAT percentile is essential for shortlisting, but it does not guarantee admission. IIMs consider a holistic profile including academic record, work experience, diversity factors, and performance in the Written Ability Test (WAT) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds for final selection.
